Reader suggests name for new Morinville school

Dear Editor:

June 2, 2011 marked a new chapter in the History of Morinville. Public education free of faith-based bias and permeation will be available to the public at large for the first time within the town in September.

I do not know if one can “name” a school consisting of modular classrooms, but I would like to put forward the following idea – In keeping with the trend of naming public buildings and indeed schools after important historical figures of local note, I would be proud to suggest the facility responsible for education free of faith-based bias be named after the woman ultimately responsible for its existence. Without this woman’s dedication and persistence there would be no “public” education free of bias in this town.

I therefore suggest the name – Donna K. Hunter Elementary School.

I would further suggest that when permanent facilities are secured for operation of truly public education representing all, that the name be transferred to the permanent facility.

A local resident, a young mother, and an unwitting champion who took on a battle to ensure public education was available to all the public.

I can think of no other name that would best represent this school to future generations who will benefit from its values. I would indeed be proud to send my children there.

Regards,

Thomas Kirsop

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22 Comments

  1. Absolutely great idea. I cannot possibly think of a more appropriate name for this school, or for that matter, a more appropriately named school in the province. Let’s do whatever we can to make this concept a reality – what process is gone through when choosing a name for a school?

  2. I don’t know what the official process is… But I did cc the letter to SSD and the Minister of Education.

    Regards;

    Thomas Kirsop

  3. Although I think Donna is an excellant role model in what she has accomplished, has anyone taken the time to ask Donna her opinion?

  4. I reckon if the powers that be decide to take the suggestion to heart they would indeed ask her.

    Did I ask her before suggesting it? No I did not.

  5. didn’t she pack up and leave town? and now you want to name a school after her?

  6. I think this is a wonderful idea. I was actually thinking the same thing. This was a historical event in our town, and Donna has been the driving force from the beginning. Her hard work and unflinching bravery should be commemorated, and I can’t think of a better way to do just that. I would be proud to send my children to the Donna K. Hunter elementary school.

  7. A repulsive idea. If Ms. Hunter grew old and died in Morinville, had all her children and grandchildren graduate from secular Morinville programs, spent hours of her life volunteering and made generous donations to these secular programs it would be a warranted suggestion.

    What Ms. Hunter did was important, but being a squeaky wheel is not heroism.

  8. Your opinion and you are entitled to it. I am entitled and inclined to disagree. As I said, without Donna Hunter there would be no school to name.

    I see no reason to wait for her death to honor her actions.

    Today’s news is tomorrows history. Some people of this town clung to that history as a reason to staunchly refuse to honor the rights of other town people. While I can understand why those who used to dominate would find the idea of honoring those who caused change ” repulsive “; I am equally inclined to disagree.

    Regards;

    Thomas Kirsop

  9. 20 years from now when a child comes home from school and says “Mommy, why is our school called Donna Hunter Elementary?” Mommy will probably say somthing like this: “Oh, she was the person who left town with her family because she didn’t want her kids in a Catholic school” If anything this school should be called Kirsop Elementary. You have to see things to completion to have that kind of distinction. Finish what you start. Don’t quit. With all the bad air surrounding this topic, the school will end up being called Morinville Elementary anyway. The last thing SSD will want is the name of the school affecting attendance.

  10. Only if “mommy” had been fed your version of revisionist history.

    My version would be somewhat different. Different viewpoints and all that.

    Regards;

    Thomas Kirsop

  11. Is there really any need for comments like that??? When a child 20 years from now asks about the name of the particular school, I highly doubt that will be a responsible parents answer. Why stir the pot and make things more heated. If you would like an faith based school, great. If you would like a non faith based school, great. Could both sides stop slinging the BS and agree that “everyone” is entitled to their opinion? I’ve seen nasty comments from BOTH sides of this debate and it’s not acceptable.

    • And you’ve only seen the comments we’ve allowed to be posted. On this topic, a large number have not been allowed to see the light of day.

  12. Yes. Let’s name a new school after a resident who has probably only been here for two years, and who will probably leave in another two. Lets thank her for being detrimental to the town and its rich heritage. What a bunch of garbage this whole situation is. I, for one, cannot wait to leave this town and its egotistic ‘residents’ behind.

    • Hunter lived in Morinville since 1999. If Morinville residents were truly egotistical, they would be clamoring to name the school after themselves.

  13. Please explain how having a public inclusive school be detrimental to our rich heritage?

  14. Patrick, every town has it’s share of egotistic people, but we have enough to share. And by the way, Donna Hunter already left town before all this garbage started.

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